​​​​Patients' Rights

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required to ensure that mental health laws, regulations, and policies for the rights of mental health service recipients are observed in licensed mental health facilities.

Californians with mental illnesses who are receiving treatment in mental health facilities, including those persons subject to involuntary commitment, are guaranteed numerous rights under Welfare and Institutions code (W&I Code), Section 5325, including the right to be free from abuse and neglect, the right to privacy, dignity, and humane care, and the right to basic procedural protections in the commitment process.

DHCS in agreement with Department of State Hospitals is required to enter a multi-year contract with a nonprofit organization to provide investigative and advocacy services.  Currently, the contractor providing the patients’ rights investigative and advocacy services required in W&I Code, Section 5370.2 is the Disability Rights California, Office of Patients' Rights (OPR).  The OPR also provides training and technical assistance to all county patients' rights advocates.

Handbooks and Posters

Publications Order Form 

Mental Health facilities may order copies of the Patients' Rights Handbooks and Posters in English or Spanish by completing this Publications Order Form and emailing it to PatientsRights@dhcs.ca.gov.

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